Topic: Finally, Subaru now 100% less Ken Block! (Read 1861 times)

stylesrex · « **on:** January 06, 2010, 10:37:58 AM »

Maybe he'll take all of his brodawg driftfag fans with him!

FORD TEAMS UP WITH RALLY CAR DRIVER KEN BLOCK FOR GLOBAL MOTORSPORTS

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 6, 2010 – Ford Motor Company announced today that it is teaming up with Ken Block, the California-based action sports icon-turned-rally driver, for future global motorsports opportunities.

Block, the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and a three-time medalist at X Games, has cultivated a tremendous following with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube. In 2010, Block will campaign a Ford Focus in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and a Ford Fiesta in Rally America and X Games.

"I am stoked to be rallying in a Ford. They are an impressive force in the sport," said Ken Block. "From the days of the 1970s Escorts to the Group B RS200 to the modern-day Focus and now the Fiesta, Ford just does an excellent job at rally and I couldn't be happier to now be part of this amazing heritage. Not to mention my dad would be proud. He was a dedicated Ford guy."

"Ken Block has established himself as an action sports competitor and a rising star in the world of American rally racing," said Jamie Allison, director Ford North America Motorsports. "We are excited to have him on our team to help promote our new global products, the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2012 Ford Focus."

Rallying is a crucial part of Ford's global motorsports strategy and provides the company with the opportunity to showcase the true performance capabilities of Ford's products. Since its support of rallying began, Ford has won three WRC titles and 73 individual events. And, last year in North America, Ford's participation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and X Games 15 were key elements for the launch of the Ford Fiesta for the U.S.

"Thanks to our participation in WRC, rallying has always played a key role in Ford's global motorsports programs," said Allison. "Ford is the only manufacturer that could provide Ken with global rally opportunities."

"We're delighted that Ken Block has chosen to team up with Ford to develop his rallying activities beyond America and into the global arena," said Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe's senior motorsports manager. "Ford and its U.K.-based rally partner, M-Sport, is looking forward to welcoming Ken to the wider team of talented rally drivers using Ford vehicles to compete in this demanding sport at the highest level internationally."

check out this promo pic.LOL they couldn't even give him a race-prep rally car to pose with AHAHAHHA

hookedontronics · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2010, 11:27:40 AM »

It's great that he's going global but how embarrasing to go from an sti to a focus

idipskoalmint · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2010, 11:40:15 AM »

He can sit on his thumb, for all I care

spoolordie · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2010, 11:56:06 AM »

WEAKSAUCE

Turbaru · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2010, 01:16:33 PM »

TOOLBOX !!!

byroll01 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2010, 04:34:50 PM »

WRC... who would pass that up?

peter32892 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2010, 06:02:48 PM »

I agree, kind of glad he is not driving a subaru. All I see at school is kids wherein Ken Block dc subaru sweat shirts and now I can just laugh at them for one him not driving a subaru anymore and two they don't know squat about subaru. Sure it was good brand recognition but I personally like how subaru has that kind of different feeling to them. Not the thing ken brought to owning a subaru.

9925leggy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2010, 06:04:20 PM »

looks like the subaru t shirt just became a sleeveless

ssgtshields · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2010, 07:04:09 PM »

What caused Block to move on? Was it because Subaru is not participating in WRC?

peter32892 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2010, 07:07:56 PM »

Quote from: ssgtshields on January 06, 2010, 07:04:09 PM

What caused Block to move on? Was it because Subaru is not participating in WRC?

Money, he is gonna make a lot more from his sponsors. $$$$

RedRoof2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2010, 07:09:59 AM »

Interesting. Focus is a pretty solid platform as Ford preps it for rally. What I can't wait to see is whether or not the assholes will actually give us an AWD turbo hatch, or if we get the drizzled down FWD version that's priced at some ridiculous amount, like the Focus ST is in europe. Shit if they had AWD turbo, i'd buy it.

Malachoz · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2010, 11:33:23 AM »

well....my monster T-shirt just became pretty dump as to Block not being w/ Subaru anymore...time to see if I can steam his name off of it...otherwise the shirt is pretty tight.

deadlydave · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2010, 11:45:36 AM »

I gotta admit, I've been hating a bit since i've been seeing people not old enough to own a car rocking the subaru apparel and flat-brimmed baseball caps.

So this is a nice change.

Quote

Rallying is a crucial part of Ford's global motorsports strategy and provides the company with the opportunity to showcase the true performance capabilities of Ford's products.

Lol Wut? Am I missing something? They've been using the Focus since '99 and have yet to build an AWD production version. They make zero 4 cyl turbo awd cars. We won't see AWD in a current-gen fiesta ever, you can't make money on a car that small that wasn't engineered to have it from the start (see Suzuki SX4 for a car that can). I can see us getting 'hot versions' of both cars, maybe in ST guise, but no powerhouse RS version.

Photofixer · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2010, 09:28:51 AM »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlCuRtKrvKY

Anyone who drives a Lincoln, Mercury or Ford leave the room.. I spat coffee all over my monitor.. .HAHHAHAHAA

ctt1128 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2010, 10:17:47 AM »

hahaha that was good

WaynO · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2010, 01:33:41 PM »

I looove the part about Dave Mirra.."should we tell him he moved up?"

darroj · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2010, 01:39:19 PM »

awesome video.. hahaha

sgf00imp · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2010, 06:29:13 PM »

great find Marty!

great find.

BlackParis · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2010, 06:46:46 PM »

IDC.. Ford has been NON STOP hardcore into WRC since the 70s... Over 40 years.

Noone else even comes close to the amount that ford spends on racing and research and Driver Pay. (the reasons subaru pulled out of WRC)

I'm glad he moved up to WRC.. Really shows that HE WAS better than Travis

RS25BG · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2010, 08:27:13 PM »

Quote from: BlackParis on January 20, 2010, 06:46:46 PM

IDC.. Ford has been NON STOP hardcore into WRC since the 70s... Over 40 years.

Noone else even comes close to the amount that ford spends on racing and research and Driver Pay. (the reasons subaru pulled out of WRC)

I'm glad he moved up to WRC.. Really shows that HE WAS better than Travis

whether or not he WAS better than travis, travis has other things in mind. dont get me wrong block can drive a car, but he is no where near the talent of travis in any way shape or form.

its kind of a good thing block is out of a subaru! he turned subaru into a car that all kids want now just because it can go sideways...

RedRoof2 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2010, 09:44:22 PM »

Quote from: RS25BG on January 20, 2010, 08:27:13 PM

its kind of a good thing block is out of a subaru! he turned subaru into a car that all kids want now just because it can go sideways...

Ken block didn't transform subaru. He just added the Playstation/Xgames aspect to an overdone, sack-riding culture stemming from the REAL success in the days of McRae, Burns and Solberg. Ken may have helped Subaru gain popularity among the skateboarding, snowboarding, videogame, YouTube masses but he didn't make it what it was. That credit goes to the drivers before him, the imperfect early version GC's and a world that hadn't been exposed to the mass of Honda converts who ditched their primered civics, joined Nasioc and flamed everyone else that didn't have God's Chariot, the wrx.

Wouldn't it be nice if we actually cheered for the home team once in our lives? Ford has always raced in the WRC, it's always been a contender and regardless of whether or not they sell the Focus ST or RS here, Ford is a worthy competitor, just like Toyota was with their Corolla RS. Didn't see an AWD version of that one either but both vehicles and manufacturers have won championships, just as Audi did years before. I look forward to seeing Ford wipe Subaru all over the map. Give credit where it's due.

RS25BG · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2010, 10:12:35 PM »

block put a different view/aspect into the eyes of the public and honestly if he were driving a geo, people would think that it is awesome. sure some of us in the subaru community are a little sour towards the outcome of his movies and driving. not blaming it on a personal level, it was his movies on you tube that really spiced up of how people portrayed subaru as a car. this can be taken as a bad or good thing. and going back to the subaru rally legends like McRae, i know he had many games for playstation and PS2. i feel though as if block brought that to another level. by no means am i trying to steal the thunder from block, its not personally his fault that the public now wears his stuff around, and hell great for him, thats more business and recognition.

id rather say its annoying to some people to see some little punk wearing a subaru shirt and not having a clue what its about, they are just wearing it because all they know is ken block drove one. for me i could care less about those kids, i keep to myself with that. but again everyone has their views, and shit if this were a kia, im sure itd be the same outcome. great for block, i wish him the best with Ford. its unfortunate that subaru cant be involved with the WRC.

flutyr525 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 21, 2010, 12:42:10 PM »

hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

that was hilarious! regardless of everyones thoughts on ken block leaving...that video was HILARIOUS!

bignickbugeye · « **Reply #23 on:** January 22, 2010, 07:05:26 AM »

cars are dumb. sleeveless all day. get bent. good for him, ford woops in wrc. end of story.

spoolordie · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2010, 10:14:23 AM »

you turn gay or something in the few weeks since you left NY

Author Topic: Finally, Subaru now 100% less Ken Block! (Read 1861 times)